The People’s Majlis has accepted the resolution to prohibit foreign vessels from fishing in Maldivian waters.

While the resolution was submitted to the parliament floor by MP for Ihavandhoo constituency Mohamed Shifau, votes from 73 members out of the 75 members present had passed to accept the bill while one had voted against it and one had abstained from voting.

The resolution will then head to the parliament committee for approval.

It was heard at a previous parliament sitting where deliberations took place, by MP for Hoarafushi constituency Ahmed Saleem and it was submitted to ease the difficulties local fishermen face in weighing and selling their catch.

The resolution seeks to forbid foreigners from fishing in the Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and notes the importance of introducing locals to other types of fishing and seek adequate training for it.

Further, only vessels registered in the Maldives that have not been black listed by other countries will be allowed to fish in the EEZ, reads the resolution.

It also seeks to set specific standards under which the vessels and its crew must fit in to fish in Maldivian waters and to set types of fishing that must be banned in the EEZ.